TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s national academy, the Academia Sinica, has for the first time elected a human science researcher and Taoist master as an academician.

Lee Fong-mao (李豐楙), 75, an adjunct research fellow at the academy’s Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy, was appointed an academician at the institute’s humanities and social sciences division in an annual election. The position involves providing advice to policymakers and is considered an honor in Taiwan.

A Chinese literature expert, Lee also studies Taoist literature and rites, a pivotal element in Taiwan's religious culture. So immersed in the culture is Lee that he has acquired the skills to perform exorcisms and invoke deities as a qualified Taoist priest, wrote Liberty Times.

Hailing his election as recognition of the contributions of religious scholars, he said becoming a certified Taoist master has given him access to undisclosed historical documents, a great boost to his Taoism research, wrote CNA.

Lee believes religion and science can exist in harmony and that he would commit to preserving and promoting Taoist legacy. Being a Taoist scholar serves as a means of “religious diplomacy,” according to Lee, who cited his experience of introducing Taiwan’s Taoism culture and rituals to the Malaysian state of Melaka, where such treasures have been lost.